No going back on fuel subsidy removal — Shettima

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has stated that the pronouncement made by his principal in his inaugural speech on fuel subsidy removal has come to stay, adding that Tinubu is a man of strong conviction and will.

According to Shettima, the new administration is fully aware of fierce opposition from those who benefit from the fuel subsidy scam, adding that the President is prepared for it.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday arrived at the presidential villa, Abuja to resume his duties barely 24 hours after his inauguration.

His motorcade arrived at the main entrance of the president’s office at about 2.30pm where he inspected the customary guard mounted by Quarter Guards.

He, thereafter, took a short drive to the forecourt of the office where he was received by a welcome party led by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Also present were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Tijjani Umar;  the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari; former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Edun, Mr Dele Alake; Hon. James Faleke.

Tinuba had been scheduled to have a meeting with the CBN governor and  the NNPCL boss.

Vice President Shettima, who also officially resumed at the presidential villa, while speaking to reporters at the Vice President Wing, stated that the new government will change the life of the common man.

He said, “To paraphrase the late John F. Kennedy, to some generations much is given; to other generations much is expected.  I believe this generation has a rendezvous with destiny and my principal, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is poised to redefine the meaning and concept of modern governance. 

“I want to assure Nigerians that he is going to provide the lead.  He is going to provide the leadership and we will rally round him, give him our unequivocal support and loyalty to see to the realization of the Nigerian dream – a Nigeria where every black man in the world should be proud of.

“Power to me is a humbling experience.  It’s all about how we can make life better for the common man. 

“So, I want to assure our countrymen that President Bola Tinubu will by the grace of God catapult this nation to a higher pedestal.  He is determined; he has the skills set; he has the temperament; the disposition and the purity of mind and commitment to give service to this nation.”

On subsidy removal, Shettima stressed the need to do away with it.

According to him, the government is aware that those who benefit from it will resist the removal, Tinubu is prepared to take them on.

He argued: “The president has already made pronouncements yesterday on the issue of the fuel subsidy.  The truth of the matter is that it is either we get rid of subsidy or the fuel subsidy gets rid of the Nigerian nation.

“In 2022, we spent $10billion subsidizing the ostentatious lifestyle of the upper class of the society because you and I benefit 90% from the oil subsidy.  The poor 40% of Nigerians benefit very little.  And we know the consequences of unveiling a masquerade. 

“We will get fierce opposition from those benefiting from the oil subsidy scam.  But where there is a will, there is a way. 

“Be rest assured that our president is a man of strong will and conviction.  In the fullness of time you will appreciate his noble intentions for the nation.   The issue of fuel subsidy will be frontally addressed.  The earlier we do so, the better.

“The issue of multiple exchange rates, we are going to collapse it into one.  So, these are two big elephants in the room and as the days go by we will be unveiling our agenda. 

“He is going to unveil his agenda because as I have always said there can never be two captains in a ship.  He is the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.  I’m the vice president.  Your relevance is directly proportional to the level of your loyalty to the president. 

“This is a gentleman that I have known for well over a decade; that I have interacted closely with.  Be rest assured that we are going to work harmoniously as a team, as a family for the greater good of our nation.”

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